Smørrebrød
Smørrebrød — literally 'butter bread' — is the foundation of the Danish lunch. Open-faced sandwiches on dense, dark rugbrød rye bread, topped with pickled herring, smoked fish, cold meats, or cheese, they are eaten with a knife and fork — never folded or held in the hand. The tradition dates to the nineteenth century, when Danish labourers carried bread and toppings to work. The rugbrød is the essential element. Dense, slightly sour sourdough rye baked in a lidded tin, it provides the firm base that makes the structure possible. Butter is spread generously to the edges first, creating a moisture barrier between bread and toppings. The garnishes — dill, capers, onion, radish — are arranged deliberately, not scattered.
Rich in omega-3
Light and healthy
Rich in vitamins
Fresh and healthy
Rich in protein
Filling and nutritious
Traditional recipe
Authentic taste
Ingredients 4 servings
- 8 slices dark rye bread (rugbrød), about 400 g
- 100 g unsalted butter, softened
- 400 g pickled herring fillets (8 fillets), drained
- 4 eggs, hard-boiled (10 minutes), peeled and sliced into rounds
- 1 small red onion (about 80 g), very finely sliced into rings
- 4 radishes, thinly sliced into rounds
- 2 tbsp capers, drained
- 4 tbsp soured cream or crème fraîche
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1 small bunch fresh dill (about 15 g)
- 1/2 tsp fine salt
How to make it
- 1Hard-boil the eggs: lower into boiling water and cook for 10 minutes, then transfer to cold water for 5 minutes before peeling and slicing into rounds.
- 2Mix the soured cream with the Dijon mustard and a pinch of salt in a small bowl.
- 3Spread each slice of rye bread generously with softened butter right to the edges — about 1 tablespoon per slice.
- 4Lay 1-2 pickled herring fillets on each buttered slice, letting them curve naturally over the surface.
- 5Spoon a small dollop of mustard cream onto the herring, then arrange 2-3 egg rounds alongside.
- 6Scatter red onion rings, radish slices, and capers over the top.
- 7Finish with fresh dill sprigs and serve immediately with a cold beer or aquavit.
Nutritional info
per serving (~350 g)
Estimated nutritional values.
Pairs perfectly with
